Sparta Prague vs Arsenal: Appeal from Sparta Players and Management

Sparta Prague is going to take on Arsenal in Prague on 15 August in Third Qualifying Round of 2007-08 UEFA Champions League. The players and the management of the club are worried about Arsenal but they are more worried about fighting against racism. If the fans show any racist behavior then UEFA can punish Sparta Prague and this can only worsen the situation for the club. So, players have come forward now and appealed to fans to be supportive and not destroy the image of the club.

Sporting Life reported:

Sparta Prague's players and management have appealed to the club's supporters to avoid racist chanting ahead of the Champions League third-round qualifying tie against Arsenal.

The fears come after racist chanting took place in the match with Liberec in the first round of the Czech Gambrinus liga.

Sparta were punished by UEFA in autumn 2005 when they were forced to play Arsenal behind closed doors following racist chanting, and the club are hoping to avoid a repeat of the behaviour for fear of further sanctions.

Racism is a terrible and ugly problem for European football. I am happy to see that UEFA does not neglect this problem. In the past, we saw violence in European football. Hopefully, racism will be eliminated before it becomes a big problem.